The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1604

There was no way she’d just stand there and let someone cheat their way into stealing her opportunity.

Karan set her jaw, lifted her chin, and marched ahead, putting some distance between herself and Shirley on purpose.

“Weirdo,” Shirley mumbled as she straightened out her clothes and hurried after her.

A moment later, all five contestants were lined up at the front of the hall. The room felt tense, thick with anticipation, as the committee chairman started to announce the results for the last three students. Everyone knew what was coming—the exchange program only had one spot left, and it would go to either Karan or Shirley.

All eyes flicked between the two of them, searching for any sign of who might win.

“Does anyone really think there’s any suspense left?” someone whispered.

“My money’s on Shirley. She’s got a ninety percent chance at this point.”

“Look at Karan. She already knows what’s about to happen.”

The comments from the front row drifted right to Karan, making her jaw clench as anger rolled through her. She could feel the heat crawling up her neck, threatening to burst out at any second.

“Now, for the remaining two students,” the chairman said, breaking the seal on an envelope. He smiled. “Karan’s scores are one hundred, one hundred, and ninety-eight.”

Hearing her own name felt like getting punched in the gut. Her stomach dropped. Were they going in the order of the placements? If that was the case, this had to mean she was second.

So Shirley really took the spot—her spot. All those years of chasing perfection, of endless work, only to lose because things weren’t fair. The thought was almost funny, if it didn’t sting so much.

“One hundred, one hundred, ninety-eight… That’s only second place?” someone murmured nearby. “If that’s not enough to win, did Shirley get perfect scores all the way through?”

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